Cavan Images | Cavan | Getty Images President Joe Biden has floated plans to address the country’s affordable housing issues, including new tax breaks for first-time homebuyers and “starter home” sellers. However, experts have mixed opinions on the proposals. “I know the cost of housing is so important to you,” Biden said during his State … Read more
The IRS has received some 44 million returns so far for tax year 2023, and is issuing an average refund of $3,213, the agency says. Having filed my return and received my refund, I think it’s safe to say I’m dragging the average down. My federal refund this year was just $18. Don’t worry, I … Read more
In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden celebrated his administration’s progress in the fight against inflation. “Wages keep going up and inflation keeps coming down,” Biden said in the annual speech before Congress. To be sure, inflation has cooled while wages have ticked higher — but households are still struggling to keep up with the increased cost of living. More from Personal Finance:Why … Read more
California is home to some of the highest gas prices in the United States, according to AAA. The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded was $3.40 as of Thursday, according to the organization’s data. In California, the average was $4.87, more than any other state. Several factors go into what drivers pay for … Read more
Petrol companies’ profit margins appear to have increased more than 50 per cent in under a year, while drivers have been forking out $2.30 a litre for regular unleaded. The indicative retail margin (IRM) for profit on regular 91 unleaded increased from 31.8 cents (c) per litre on April 5 last year to 49.7c on … Read more
Asking for a pay raise is no easy feat, particularly for women. More than half of women around the world have never asked for a raise before, according to a 2024 study by job listings site Indeed. Of the 43% who asked, three in four received a pay increase. Additionally, 61% of women globally believe … Read more
The 2024 tax season is in full swing, with some Americans already seeing refund checks hit their mailboxes or bank accounts directly. As of mid-February, over 25.5 million taxpayers had submitted returns, with the average refund coming to $1,741, according to the Internal Revenue Service. In total, 67% of taxpayers say they expect a refund this … Read more
Rising prices at checkouts have forced a growing number of Australians to resort to dumpster diving, an inquiry has heard, while supermarkets are accused of wasting food. A Senate probe into supermarket prices was told cost of living pressures had led to many people skipping meals altogether, or sourcing food that had been thrown out. … Read more
Andriy Onufriyenko | Moment | Getty Images One helpful way to think about the recent gold rally: it’s a case of schadenfreude. The yellow metal does well when other assets — and the world — are in trouble. As a result, prospective buyers should proceed with caution, experts say. Be prepared to root against your … Read more
Consumers have been increasingly relying on credit cards to make ends meet, and it may be finally catching up with them. The national average credit score, which has steadily increased over the last decade, fell to 717 from a high of 718 in the beginning of 2023, according to a report from FICO, developer of one of the … Read more
